Play by Play Awards 2018

The contestable awards list for the 2018 festival is as below.
That Game That We Couldn’t Put Down
The game that had a solid game loop that kept us addicted and engaged from start to finish. It may also have impacted our daily productivity.

That World We Didn’t Want To Leave
The game that pulled us into a world or story which captured our imaginations, and stayed with us long after we had to get back to reality.

That Tall Glass of Juice
The game that exudes juicy feedback and polish on multiple levels. Clacky sounds, juicy UI feedback, camera shake, and effects, this is interaction design and player feedback at peak.

That Audiovisual Smörgåsbord
The game that exudes vibrancy in visual or audio form. We were left in a pleasant audiovisual coma at the end of it.

That Game That Entranced
That game that had us in a meditative zen like state, or kept us engaged with an innate beat and tempo. This award is for the game that had us hypnotically held in a new state of mind.
That Game With The Message
The game that makes an impact and has a message for us all, be it a game that touches on diversity, humanitarian stories, or politics.

That… What Even Is That
The award for games that display innovation, thinking outside the box or just well-thought-out weirdness. Could be peripherals, mechanics, thematic packaging – anything odd or new!

That Game Like Clockwork
The game that was pretty on the inside. Constructed with elegant mechanics, these feed into and build off each other to create depth in the design of the game.
That Game The Jury Liked
The award for jury’s choice. This game is something that stood out to the judging panel for a number of reasons!

That Game From Across The Ditch
The award that goes to the standout title from Australia. This is the only award that Australian-made games are eligible for.

We’ve also included two new awards – Te Maunga Kai Kapua (Teina) and Te Maunga Kai Kapua (Tuakana) – which will recognise professionals within our industry.

Te Maunga Kai Kapua (Teina)
The award for a rising star in the New Zealand game industry. This person has already made a mark early in their career, and their continuing work will sprout new life and opportunities in the local scene.

Te Maunga Kai Kapua (Tuakana)
This award goes to a stalwart industry pillar in the New Zealand community who has raised the profile and helped build the national industry into what it is today.

Wellington has long been a hub for the Kiwi arts and film communities, and now a growing number of videogame studios and indies are calling it home.